# US 2013/0152499 A1 · Water retention/detention structure formed from identical panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152499 A1 - Document ID: US20130152499A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/374,236 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Inventors: John E. Kriekemeier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152499A1 ## CPC - E03F 1/005: {via box-shaped elements} - E02B 11/00: Drainage of soil, e.g. for agricultural purposes {(draining sports grounds E01C13/083; for consolidating foundation soil, e.g. sand drain piles E02D3/10)} - E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) ## Abstract A water retention and detention assembly formed of a plurality of panels that may be interconnected edge to edge in a range of 90 through 270 degrees using a unique connector tab arrangement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for retaining and detaining water, comprising: a plurality of substantially identical panels arranged adjacent to each other to form an assembly with a hollow interior, said panels characterized by a front and back surface; said front and back planar surface being spaced to define the width of said panels; four sides of substantially similar length which define edges of the panels, said sides being disposed at ninety degrees relative to each adjacent side; and connector tabs extending laterally in substantially identical arrangement from each of four sides of said panels; the tabs of at least one panel communicating with the tabs of at least one other panel for the alignment of panels; said panel characterized by a plurality of connector tabs extending from each of said side surfaces and a plurality of connector openings at each of said side surfaces; said tabs and said openings being defined by having essentially the same length whereby said tab fits within said opening; said tabs and said opening being further defined by a square cross section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the panels further include fluid flow openings between said front and back surfaces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 being further defined by support ribs between said side walls forming said openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including locking connectors for each locking connector tab of said panels for connection of adjacent panels in a connected relationship. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein said locking connectors are further defined as a shaped slot and correspondingly shaped fastener. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein said shaped slot is formed on an end wall of said connector tab. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6 wherein said shaped slot is further defined as a first opening in a first direction and a second opening in a second direction at a ninety degree angle to said first opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein said fastener is shaped to engage said first and said second opening of said shaped slot of said locking connectors in accordance with the orientation of the adjacent panels being connected. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 being further defined by at least a gang of interlocking panels on a first level and a second gang of interlocking panels on a second level. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising support members between said first and said second levels of interlocking panels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 wherein said support members are hollow to accommodate flow of a reinforcing material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein said reinforcing material is concrete. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further including a ground surface covering. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein said ground covering is reinforced concrete. ### Claim 15 A building panel comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and side surfaces; a first thickness defining the distance between said front and said rear surfaces; said panel characterized by a plurality of connector tabs extending from each of said side surfaces and a plurality of connector openings at each of said side surfaces; said tabs and said openings being defined by having essentially the same length whereby said tab fits within said opening; said tabs and said opening being further defined by a square cross section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 further including locking connectors for each locking connector tab of said panels for connection of adjacent panels in a connected relationship. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein said locking connectors are further defined as a shaped slot and correspondingly shaped fastener. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein said shaped slot is formed on an end wall of said connector tab. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein said shaped slot is further defined as a first opening in a first direction and a second opening in a second direction at a ninety degree angle to said first opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19 wherein said fastener is shaped to engage said first and said second opening of said shaped slot of said locking connectors in accordance with the orientation of the adjacent panels being connected.